Stoner takes pole for Catalan Grand Prix

Australia's world champion Casey Stoner took his first pole position of the season at the Catalan MotoGP yesterday, leaving Valentino Rossi trailing back in ninth.

Stoner, who pipped Italy's Rossi across the line to win at the Circuit de Catalunya last year, set the pace with a record pole time of 1:41.186 on his Ducati, just holding off local favourite Dani Pedrosa.

The Spaniard's Honda team-mate American Nicky Hayden was the third fastest to complete the front of the grid for today's race.

Frenchman Randy de Puniet, American Colin Edwards and Britain's James Toseland make up the second row, with Yamaha's championship leader Rossi, who is seeking a fourth straight victory this season, ninth quickest 1.241 seconds adrift of Stoner.

Spain's Jorge Lorenzo, who is third in the overall standings, has been ruled out of the race after crashing in practice on Friday.

It was a Spanish one-two-three in the 250cc qualifying with Aspar Team's Alvaro Bautista leading compatriots Alex Debon and Hector Barbera. Italy's Marco Simoncelli completes the front row in fourth.